Labour authorities have intervened on behalf of a group of workers forced to sleep outdoors because their company did not pay the power bill.
The GDN highlighted the men’s plight on Wednesday, revealing that 45 employees of the firm had allegedly not been paid for three months.
Electricity to their home was cut off after their employer allegedly failed to pay the bill for their accommodation in Jidhafs.
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The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has acted swiftly in response to the GDN’s report, revealing that it had since retrieved passports of more than 100 employees being held by the employer.
Officials said they were providing assistance to those involved, while the Indian Embassy was also offering support.
“Workers were received at the LMRA Expat Protection Centre and the case was processed through the National Referral Mechanism to ensure the workers received as much assistance as possible, according to the elements of their situation,” said an LMRA spokeswoman.
“The LMRA was successful in retrieving and returning over 100 passports to the workers involved in this case.
“The (Indian) embassy is assisting the workers with regards to other labour claims.”
The GDN visited 45 of the company’s employees at their home on Tuesday, after learning they were sleeping on mattresses on the roof because it was so hot indoors.
They included 40 Indians and five Pakistanis who work for two companies – a construction firm and a sanitation firm – under the same owner.
The firms are Mid Town Contracting and Services and Sea Breeze International Cleaning Services, but company officials could not be reached for comment.
“We are glad that the LMRA officials reassured us we would soon be sent home and the Indian Embassy has been providing us with food and other amenities,” said one of the employees on condition of anonymity.
“Some social workers reached out to us after our report was published in the GDN and they also helped us with food and provisions.
“Only the electricity connection has not been resumed, but we really feel grateful to all those who took our situation seriously.”
The men earlier said that they feared they may never get their salaries if they leave Bahrain.
However, a lawyer appointed on their behalf said it was possible if they sign over power of attorney.
They are supposed to be paid between BD50 and BD100 a month for work as construction assistants and cleaning personnel with various clients across Bahrain.
“The men will have to sign a power of attorney for the embassy to legally get their pending wages,” said the lawyer, who asked not to be named.
“Most of them are soon leaving and it might be difficult to get their claims settled quickly, as the court formalities have to be completed.”
The Migrant Workers Protection Society and Discover Islam were among organisations which responded with aid for the workers.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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